The Meghalaya High Court has directed its Registry to implead the Union of India and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) as respondents in an ongoing suo motu public interest litigation concerning the management of stray dogs in the state.
The order was passed in compliance with directions issued by the Supreme Court in the case City Hounded by Strays, Kids Pay Price, In Re, which requires Chief Secretaries of all states and Union Territories, along with relevant central agencies, to submit updated compliance affidavits before their respective High Courts.
During the hearing, the Advocate General placed before the court a status report filed by the Secretary of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department. The bench accepted the affidavit, dated July 29, and took it on record.
The High Court also issued notices to the newly added respondents—the Union of India and the NHAI—and directed them to respond to the proceedings.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on August 12.
The bench further instructed the Chief Secretary of Meghalaya, the Union of India, and the NHAI to file their respective affidavits in accordance with the directions laid down by the Supreme Court regarding measures for the management of stray dogs.
